About Turn On Informer Policy
Archbishop of Cracow Stanislaw Dziwisz has made a sharp reversal in his policy towards the issue of Communist-era informers within the Polish Church.
Father Tadeusz Izakowicz-Zaleski, a key player in the bid to 'out' former agents of the Communist regime, emerged from the Archbishop's Palace yesterday with a blessing to continue his research on collaborators.
The issue has grown increasing explosive in recent months, following Zaleski's reading of his own state security file, an undertaking that is now possible in today's Poland.
Zaleski, one of the famed 'Solidarity Priests', was a vocal supporter of the anti-communist strikes in the 1980's and he was twice beaten up by unidentified assailants.
Whilst few doubt Zaleski's own valiant record, many in the Church are worried that a no-holds-barred expose of state files would be akin to opening Pandora's Box. The verifying of witness statements, and the truthfulness of agents own reports represent two of the most slippery stumbling blocks.
Less than a month ago, Archbishop Dziwisz, who was the private secretary of the late Pope John Paul II, formally requested Zaleski to desist in both his research and his contact with the press.
However, the Archbishop grabbed the nettle yesterday and gave Father Zaleski his blessing and the backing of a team of historians from the Papal Academy of Theology.
Cracovian intelligentsia circles are rife with rumours about the identities of collaborators - two major figures have already been revealed of late in separate incidents, and it is to be expected that more will follow.
However, the shades of collaboration are wildly varied. Scores of priests were compelled to talk with the authorities, often as no more than a formality. Both Pope Benedict XVI and Archbishop Dziwisz have spoken of the difficulty of judging people who were living in a totalitarian state by today's standards. On the other hand, some priests were indeed on the pay-roll of the communist regime for many years. Two months ago it was revealed that Father Michal Czajkowski - a distinguished figure who chaired a Polish-Jewish relations commission - had spied on Father Jerzy Popieluszko, the man who was ultimately murdered by State Security agents in 1984.
The Church is wary of allegations of collaboration, and it takes pride in its role as shepherd of the nation during the communist era. Pope John Paul II represents one of many heroic figures who stood up for freedom during the long Polish struggle, and the Church is fearful of denting its hard earned prestige. However, it is increasingly believed that information is bound to come out one way or the other, and a coherent policy is being talked of as a must. The Archbishop's decision was warmly received by many outlets of the Polish press.